New York, June 22, 2012 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has selected defenseman Brady Skjei with the 28th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Skjei, 18, skated in 60 games with the U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL) last season, registering four goals and 19 assists for 23 points, along with 36 penalty minutes. He established USHL career-highs in games played, assists, points, and penalty minutes. Skjei tied for seventh on the team overall in assists, and tied for third among team defensemen in points and ranked fourth in assists.

The Lakeville, Minnesota native helped Team USA capture the gold medal at the Under-18 World Championship, recording one assist, 10 shots on goal and a plus-10 rating in six tournament contests. His plus-10 rating led all tournament skaters.

The 6-3, 200-pounder has appeared in 115 career games over two seasons with the U.S. National Development Team (USHL), registering nine goals and 33 assists for 42 points, along with 60 penalty minutes. In 2010-11, Skjei established a USHL career-high with five goals, along with 14 assists for 19 points in 55 games with the U.S. National Under-17 Team. He tied for sixth on the team overall in assists, and tied for second among team defensemen in goals and third in points that season.

In addition to capturing gold with Team USA at the Under-18 World Championship, Skjei represented the United States at the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He registered one goal and three assists for four points in six tournament contests en route to capturing the silver medal. He also tied for third on the team with one power play goal.

Skjei, who has committed to the University of Minnesota for the fall of 2012, entered the 2012 NHL Entry Draft ranked 19th overall among North American skaters in the final Central Scouting Rankings.